Serve in Humility

Read Matthew 23:1‑12.

"But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant" (v. 11). 

          According to C.S. Lewis, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less."  A pastoral couple we know was assigned to a generously respectful congregation.  They had been reared in middle-class homes and were not comfortable with their new church's policy of seating them, front and center, at a "table of honor" at church gatherings.  They avoided this practice by helping serve refreshments or "working the room" to meet and greet as many people as possible, especially visitors that were often present.  Soon they noticed a new interest and sense of belonging among several in the congregation.  The couple gratefully attributed this, in part, to their god-given preference for being among and alongside, not exalted above, the people.

One debate focuses on which comes first: honor or servanthood.  Does one serve to become greatly esteemed, or does great character naturally focus on serving? Our verse seems to indicate that, in God's order of things, they "go hand in hand." Greatness of character flows outward in a rising tide of loving and beloved servant leadership.  Natural greatness finds fulfillment in serving others, and those who gladly serve are a godly model to which others aspire. (Wayne Skeen)

"Humility is not a character trait to develop,

it's the natural by-product of being with Jesus."
- Louie Giglio

 

Prayer:  Father, let me not desire to be thought of as great,

but rather give me longing to be of some good.

2020-10-20T13:50:03+00:00October 21st, 2020|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , |0 Comments

October 25, 2020: Service

PRINTED TEXT: Romans 12:1 13; 1 Corinthians 3:9 15

CENTRAL TRUTH: The rewards for our Christian service will be based on its motivation as well as its quality and quantity.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson we should be able to name either a new avenue of service to God in which we will get involved or a ministry in which we are already involved to which we will give more time and energy.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Consecration for Service (Romans 12:1, 2)

II. Cooperation in Service (Romans 12:3 8)

III. Concepts of Service (Romans 12:9 13)

IV. Compensation for Service (1 Corinthians 3:9 15)

Class Project

Part of building the church comes with reaching out to others who are not yet part of the Body of Christ. One way you can reach out to others and build your Sunday school class community is to pick a project to do as a class. The possibilities for this kind of ministry seem endless. You can work together to serve the homeless, clean up an elderly or needy neighbor’s yard, visit the nursing home on a regular basis, fundraise for a special need with a spaghetti supper, clean a city park, have a food pounding for a new neighbor or family in need, make blankets for orphans, etc. If you look closely at the people who live in your church’s community, I am sure you can find a way to reach out to others and be an extension of Jesus. “The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service” (Billy Graham).

2019-01-25T10:00:45+00:00January 25th, 2019|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: , |0 Comments

A Picture of Hannah

 
Although not much is told about Hannah, have the class create a word picture of her character.
Hannah was a sorrowful woman who was persistent.
Some people have a “moody” or melancholy temperament. Was Hannah one of those people? Is it possible for God to use those people in His service?
Was Hannah depressed? If so, how did she overcome her depression?
What were Hannah’s good qualities?
Hannah was faithful to keep her vow to God. Why was this important?
 
2018-07-06T09:00:38+00:00July 6th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: , , |0 Comments

Community Service

Present the possibility to the class of engaging in various forms of community service on a regular basis. This venture will challenge students to think of others and to reach beyond the four walls of the church. Start by brainstorming about some options that could be considered. Ask individuals to share the types of volunteerism in which they currently participate or activities they have especially enjoyed in the past. It would be feasible to clean a home or yard for a shut-in or neighbor, or to visit a soup kitchen to serve the needy. Food could be brought along to encourage the interest and involvement of the group. There might be a girls' home or pregnancy center nearby to which the members could donate items. Some individuals may be unable physically to attend the outreach effort, but they could pray and/or donate toward the cause.

2017-10-27T08:47:18+00:00October 27th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: |0 Comments

What is our reasonable service?

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

The word for service is a religious word that means “service'' or “worship.” It is used five times in the New Testament, where it always refers to religious service, not secular. Thus, true reasonable service is literally a spiritual function (not an external function) whereby man's spirit is in communion with God's Spirit. Man's spirit is that part of his personality which reflects its closest and most intimate relationship. From such a fellowship with God, man's spirit not only reflects that Christlikeness which results from the association, but also responds in obedience to the will of Him who has justified his spirit.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 64.

2017-02-11T09:00:00+00:00February 11th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , |0 Comments

The Servant’s Reward

“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (v. 42).
Twice, we have sold everything, and gone overseas to do mission work. Both times we sat on the airplane and wondered whether the people of the host country would accept us.
Acceptance in these cases was more critical than just our comfort. We knew both times that, were we accepted, we could more easily present Jesus. As mentioned in Matthew 10:42, sometimes our ministry has included giving a cup of cold water or a little food to someone, in the hopes of showing to him how much we care. Sharing Jesus has repeatedly meant cooking for hundreds of people. It has included gift giving, carrying baskets of food and other necessities into a village, fixing meals for national, Christian workers, preparing snacks for students, and making cookies for neighbors. But all the time the goal was to either eventually, or to show consistently the love and care that IS Jesus.
Yes, ministry is often most effectively done in the little things- with the cups of cold water. Certainly we have taught and preached, but so often it was our attitude of service that spoke the loudest according to the testimonies later heard. Do not be discouraged when your ministry is reduced to a cup of cold water. (Christina Black)

Let my hands perform His bidding…
…All for Jesus, all for Jesus
All my days and all my hours.
(Asa Hull; Public Domain)

This devotional is the Monday, July 18, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

2016-07-20T09:00:00+00:00July 20th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: |0 Comments

Lesson 8: God's Servants

Lesson 8 - July 24, 2016
Focus Text: Revelation 7:9-17; 14:1-5
Central Truth: Faithful service to Christ leads to increased opportunities for service.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify at least three areas of life in which faithful service is required.
Lesson Outline:

  1. Sealed (Revelation 7:1-8)
  2. Serving (Revelation 7:9-17)
  3. Singing (Revelation 14:1-5)
2016-07-18T09:00:00+00:00July 18th, 2016|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: |0 Comments

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